August 27, 2017

To:Staff and Observers

Re:In Season Bulletin 01-17

This will be the first of three emails this week reviewing and outlining various items for the season.

Coaches DeclarationOf Legal Equipment

By rule each week the umpire is supposed to get a copy of the signed form related to equipment. We are requesting the head coach to provide this to your during your pregame meeing

You will see this topic outlined in the bulletin sent to all coaches at the bottom of this bulletin.

Umpires should carry two blank copies with them during pregame in case the head coach fails to comply.

IF the head coach does not have the form, UMPIRES please forward an email to Dan AND I informing us of their non-compliance. This will be forwarded to the Commissioner.

Jerseys

If the jersey (or undergarment) hangs below the waist it MUST be tucked in. If you discover this during the game, ask them to get it tucked in, and if they don’t address the issue prior to the next snap send them out of the game same as any equipment violation.

Under Garments (shirts and compression leggings)

If either are the color of the team’s basic colors, they are fine. If a team’s colors are red and white, if the player’s sleeves or compression leggings match the team color there are no issues. If some are in red, some are in white, and some are not wearing any, all is good.

The undergarment must be of the same design. If one is wearing team colors with starts, they must all be wearing that design. What we don’t want 50% in solid color, 25% with stripes, and 25% in hunting camouflage, even if the designs are in team colors.

This should not be an issue, straightforward, and will be monitored by the umpire during pregame when he inspects the teams for equipment and uniform violations.

Umpires will be responsible to provide the coach with a copy of the equipment card at the end of warm-ups with numbers of any equipment or uniform violations.

Game Balls

The referee, or his designate (BJ) should inspect the game balls prior to the game. This inspection may occur on the field during drills. When you approve the ball, make a clear and obvious marking so it can easily be checked during the game.

Remember the teams cannot have a special ball for kicking situations.

The general rule of thumb if the ball from the prior down is on the field, that ball will be used for the next down UNLESS the officials decide to bring in a different football.

Umpire will be the primary official to monitor this situation as you are handling the football after almost every play. If the team brings a ball in which does not “feel right” and or doesn’t not have the proper marking by the inspecting official in pregame, then you are to send it out.

Timing of Half Time

Based on the NCAA rule change, as discussed at the clinic, this is how we will handle the half time.

  1. When it is obvious the second quarter is over with no penalty issues, the BJ will start a 60 second count down.
  2. When the 60 seconds are done, the BJ will inform the R and the half time clock will start with a clear wind the clock signal, regardless where the teams are in moving to the locker room.
  3. When 5 minutes are left in the half, the side officials will ENTER their team’s locker room. (Please note at 5 minutes you are leaving your locker room, but entering the team’s locker room)
  4. You will get the coaches choice for the second half and start the team’s out of the locker room.
  5. The teams will be on the field at 3 minutes.
  6. The field will be cleared at one minute.
  7. Teams will be in their kickoff formations at 30 seconds ready to play.
  8. When the game clock hits :00, the ball will be handed to the kicker, R will chop the ball ready to play and we start.

It is paramount that every crew is consistent with this procedure. There will be some awkwardness in trying to push the team’s along the timeline, but stay firm but polite.

We will see if there are any issues over the next two weeks, and if so the schools will need to handle any changes through a waiver to the conference.

The question related to this process has been raised. “What happens if one of the teams is overtly slow leaving the field which delays the opponent from leaving the field”.

As a matter or process, the side officials are going to escort their teams off the field, especially if both teams exit through a common point.

We will try to move the teams off the field, but we will not penalize a team for being “slow” to exist unless it is blatantly obvious.

If there are issues, referee should note it in their foul reports or via email. However, at this point we are not going to try to determine or penalize a team for speed to the locker room.

Let’s focus on these items, and be consistently great when administering the game

NOTE: Below is a copy of the bulletin distributed by Commissioner Kollenborn to conference coaches.

For:Conference Coaches and Conference Observers

Re:Game Day Items

Good Day:

I have requested Commissioner Kollenborn to forward this to you as a review of some game day items that will impact you and the officials.

Head Coaches Certification – Legal Equipment

For the last three years the NCAA rules requires the head coach to present to the referee/umpire a signed form indicating a number of issues related to equipment have been met and that all players are legally equipped.

  • This requirement is a rule, and we are not supposed to play the game without a signed for from each coach.
  • This requirement is enforced for every game.
  • Please have this form with you when at the time of your pregame meeting with the referee/umpire.

I believe Commissioner Kollenborn may have sent the form via email, if not we will send another this week.

Uniforms

In out August meeting, a couple of issues related to uniforms:

Jerseys Tucked In

By rule a player’s jersey must be tucked in (FR-21 1-4-5). The umpire will inspect and note for you anyone not in compliance during pregame and provide a list to you when pregame ends.

If jersey is out during play, we will ask the player to tuck it in and if they can’t or won’t they will be sent out in the same manner as any illegal or defective equipment.

We understand that for some of the larger players, the jersey may not reach their pants and we will adjust. Rule of thumb if the jersey hangs below the belt, we will request that the jersey be tucked in.

In addition, undershirts will be treated the same as a jersey. If the undershirt is hanging out below the belt it must be tucked in.

Jerseys also may not be “tied in a knot” or tucked up under breast plate of the shoulder pads. The jersey must go into the pants.

Coloring of Under Shirts or Leg Garments

If sleeves of undershirts or leg garments are the same basic color as your team colors, they will be ok. For example, if your team colors are blue and white, if the sleeves of the undershirt or leg garments are either blue or white, they will be acceptable. Everyone does not have to have the same color.

Unfortunately, one of the requirements of this rule is that the sleeves or leg garments are the same style, If one is solid color, they all must be solid color. Even if the sleeves or leg garments are in team colors, 50 % can’t be in solid colors, 25% with stars, 25% with stripes. The key is that the NCAA wants these items to be same design and not an individual fashion statement.

Time Constraints of Half Time

The NCAA has put in a rule to help speed up the game. As a result, the following will occur when the second quarter ends:

  1. When it is obvious the second quarter is done and free from fouls, the BJ will begin a 60 second timing.
  2. At the end of 60 seconds, the referee will start the half time clock, regardless of where the teams are in relation to leaving the field
  3. With 5 minutes left in the halftime, the officials will come into the locker room to bring the teams out as well as get the second half option from the coaches (receive, kick, defend). Explicitly there will not be a meeting of the captains at midfield prior to the third quarter to discuss options.
  4. Teams are to be on the field with 3 minutes left in the half, the field clear at one minute, and both teams in their respective kicking formations with 30 seconds on the clock.
  5. When the game clock shows 0:00 signifying the end of the half, the BJ will hand the ball to the kicker, R will chop the ball ready and you will have 25 seconds to kick off.

Failure to be in kickoff position as outlined above is a delay of game foul against the offending team.

This rule was implemented by the NCAA due to TV, and as onerous that the rule is, as I understand we do not have the option to ignore the rule unless certain conference administrative steps occur and are approved by the State. To my knowledge this has not happened.

Game Balls – Kicker

All game balls that are going to be used during the game must be approved by the referee during pre-game. By rule you cannot have a “special” football to be brought in during kick situations (punts, PAT, free kicks etc).

If there is a football on the field, it will not be removed unless the officials deem it necessary (football is wet, unusable due to mud, low on air etc).

Plays for Review

Anytime you would like us to look at a play or plays, please send an email including the play number, the player(s) you want us to watch, and the rule or issue you want clarification of.

There have been times we have viewed a play, commented on something we see, and it is not the issue the coach wanted reviewed.

Since all teams are going to use the HUDL “pool or bulletin board” to post/exchange their game videos each week, all you need to do is give us the play number from YOUR video with your explanation. We can get the video from the “bulletin board”, view the play, and then comment based on your question.

We wish each of you success this upcoming season!

Dave Curschman/Dan Romeo